ASSOCIATION OF EVERYDAY LIFE INFORMATION ACQUISITION METHODS AND DEPRESSION AMONG US OLDER ADULTS

Abstract Everyday life information acquisition refers to the incidental ways people obtain information through daily activities such as reading, watching television, or communicating with friends rather than through intentional or purposive information seeking behaviors. It has been identified as a fundamental way to obtain informational resources and is a potential means to promote social connections and engagement among older adults. Research has shown that social engagement and connections are protective factors of depression for older adults. However, little research has explored how information seeking behaviors effect risks of depression among older adults. To fill this gap in the literature and provide insights into the mechanism of information access impacts the mental health of older adults, this study examines the relationships between different ways for obtaining daily information (reading, using computer, and watching television) and depression among older adults in United States. The data retrieved from 2018’s Health and Retirement Study (HRS). We multiple linear regression analyses on HRS data including adults age 50 years and older (n=3,179). After adjusting for age, gender, race, marital status, education, and chronic diseases, all three different ways to obtaining daily information (reading, using computer, and watching television) were negatively associated with depression (β=-0.19, p< 0.001; β=-0.15, p=0.002; β=-0.15, p< 0.001, respectively). Findings suggest that the association between everyday life information acquisition and depression among older adults varies depending on the specific information acquisition methods used. These findings highlight the importance of implementing targeted interventions to promote effective information access and enhance social inclusion among older adults.


ACTIVE USE OF ONLINE COMMUNITY REDUCES LONELINESS AMONG OLDER ADULTS THROUGH WEAK TIES FORMATION
Nahyun Kim, and Keiko Katagiri, Kobe University, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan Online communities could aid older adults in expanding their social connections and developing weak ties, which may help alleviate their loneliness.However, research investigating the impact of online community participation on the formation of weak ties among older adults remains lacking.This study aimed to investigate 1) the relationship between active use of an online community designed for older adults and the formation of weak ties within the platform, and 2) the potential for these weak ties to alleviate loneliness among members.The online community platform for older adults allowed users to post diary entries and photos, join interest-based communities, and organize virtual and in-person events.An online survey was conducted among members aged 60 to 79 years (N=862).The survey measured active use, weak ties (measured by the number of mutual followers), and loneliness.Path analysis showed that active engagement in the online community was positively associated with the formation of weak ties, which, in turn, were negatively associated with loneliness.Thus, older adults who frequently posted own content and participated in community activities were more likely to form many weak ties in the platform, and these weak ties may help reduce their loneliness.However, this study only examined online community use, meaning that further research is needed to explore the relationship between general social networking services use and weak ties, as well as examine the context of the passive use of these services.

ASSOCIATION OF EVERYDAY LIFE INFORMATION ACQUISITION METHODS AND DEPRESSION AMONG US OLDER ADULTS
Wuyi Dong, Yan-Jhu Su, and Andrew Alberth, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States Everyday life information acquisition refers to the incidental ways people obtain information through daily activities such as reading, watching television, or communicating with friends rather than through intentional or purposive information seeking behaviors.It has been identified as a fundamental way to obtain informational resources and is a potential means to promote social connections and engagement among older adults.Research has shown that social engagement and connections are protective factors of depression for older adults.However, little research has explored how information seeking behaviors effect risks of depression among older adults.To fill this gap in the literature and provide insights into the mechanism of information access impacts the mental health of older adults, this study examines the relationships between different ways for obtaining daily information (reading, using computer, and watching television) and depression among older adults in United States.The data retrieved from 2018's Health and Retirement Study (HRS).We multiple linear regression analyses on HRS data including adults age 50 years and older (n=3,179).After adjusting for age, gender, race, marital status, education, and chronic diseases, all three different ways to obtaining daily information (reading, using computer, and watching television) were negatively associated with depression (β=-0.19,p< 0.001; β=-0.15,p=0.002; β=-0.15,p< 0.001, respectively).Findings suggest that the association between everyday life information acquisition and depression among older adults varies depending on the specific information acquisition methods used.These findings highlight the importance of implementing targeted interventions to promote effective information access and enhance social inclusion among older adults.Social isolation and loneliness among older adults correspond with numerous mental and physical health consequences including but not limited to depression, anxiety, declines in cognitive functioning, and poor health behaviors.More recent research highlights the potential benefits of digital-social communication technology through social networking sites (SNS), communicative technology, and computer or tablet use (Khosravi et al. 2016;Jutai and Tuazon 2022;Neil-Sztramko et al. 2020).However, the efficacy of technology on mental and physical well-being remains obscure, particularly given the often interchangeability of isolation and loneliness concepts.In this research, we examine the extent to which conditions of isolation and feelings of loneliness correspond with depression among older adults.Using data from two waves of Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data in 2018 and 2020 (N = 8,994), we conduct a series of linear regressions of depression scales on both isolation and loneliness as well as their interaction with the use of social technology in communication.Preliminary results suggest that that the use of virtual communications by social networking sites (SNS) moderates the associations between isolation and depression levels, but no such effect is observed in terms of self-perception of loneliness.Moreover, the magnitude of SNS-Isolation and depression linkages differs significantly for family and friends.This research contributes to the growing body of literature on the intersection of technology and psychological well-being among isolated older adults, highlighting the both the potential benefits and limitations of virtual communication for improving health outcomes in older adults.

EFFECTIVENESS OF TELEDELIVERED BEHAVIORAL ACTIVATION AND MINDFULNESS INTERVENTIONS IN REDUCING LONELINESS
Da Jiang 1 , Dannii Yeung 2 , Namkee Choi 3 , Rainbow Tin Hung Ho 4 , Jojo Yan Yan Kwok 4 , Youqiang Song 4 , Lisa M. Warner 5 , and Kee Lee Chou 1 , 1. Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2. City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, 3. University of Texas, Austin, Texas, United States, 4. The University of Hong Kong,Hong Kong,Hong Kong,5. MSB Medical School Berlin,Berlin,Germany Loneliness is one of the most prevalent mental health problems in older adults, especially among those who live alone and are digitally excluded.The phenomenon has become more conspicuous during the COVID-19 pandemic because of the constraints on physical contact and travel.In this three-armed randomized controlled trial, we examined the effectiveness of two telephone-delivered loneliness interventions (i.e., behavioral activation [Tele-BA], mindfulness [Tele-MF]) against a telephone-delivered active control group (i.e., befriending [Tele-BF]) in reducing loneliness, based on the behavioral theory of depression and monitor acceptance theory.We trained retirees as lay counselors to deliver the interventions to enhance the scalability and sustainability of the interventions.Older adults who lived alone and under the poverty line in Hong Kong, did not have Internet at home, and felt lonely were randomly assigned to one of the three groups (N = 1045, Mage = 76.59,SDage = 7.83, 78% female).Participants in each group received two 30-minute weekly intervention sessions for four weeks.They completed assessments at the baseline (T1), four weeks (T2) and six months (T3) following the intervention, respectively.Compared with their counterparts in the Tele-BF group, participants in the Tele-BA and Tele-MF groups reported lower levels of loneliness and perceived stress and higher levels of psychological well-being and perceived social support at T2 and T3.These findings provide scientific understandings on the effectiveness of Tele-BA and Tele-MF interventions for reducing loneliness among older adults in Hong Kong, and demonstrate the feasibility of conducting lay counselordelivered telephone-based interventions for older adults.

EMOTIONAL CLOSENESS, SOCIAL NETWORK, NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE AFFECTS, AND AGITATION IN OLDER ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA Mohammad Rababa, Jordan University Of Science And Technology, Irbid, Irbid, Jordan
Background: If given a choice, people with dementia (PWD) would prefer to live in their homes instead of nursing homes.Living in older adults' own houses would positively impact their quality of life and be associated with more privacy, security, and social support.In addition, living in a nursing home is not culturally and religiously accepted, especially in a religious and conservative country like Jordan.However, with increased financial obligations and hardships in Jordan, women are forced to work outsides their houses.Therefore, PWD stay alone in their homes without care or attention.This neglect would put PWD at significant risk for adverse physical and psychosocial health consequences.

CONNECTING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY: EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES AND MENTAL HEALTH Joseph
Svec 1 , Yeon Ji Ryou 2 , and Jeong Eun Lee 2 , 1. Saint Joseph's University, New York City, New York, United States, 2. Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States